WEST ORANGE, NJ – With a five-game winning streak, the West Orange High School varsity football team was riding high entering the playoffs, fueling hopes that the Mountaineers can win a state section title.
But top-seeded Ridgewood dashed those hopes as the eighth-seeded Mountaineers lost, 57-14, in the first round of the state North Jersey Section 1, Group 5 playoffs on Friday night, Nov. 11, in Ridgewood.
The Mountaineers, under fourth-year head coach Jim Matsakis, finished the season with a solid 6-4 record. Ridgewood improved to 10-0.
C.J. Onyechi scored on a 73-yard run in the second quarter for the Mountaineers, who trailed 31-7 at halftime.
C.J. Wilson scored on a 92-yard kickoff return for the other WOHS touchdown. Ryan Carraha kicked both extra points.
Onyechi committed to Rutgers University as a linebacker.
West Orange (6-4)
Sept. 9, Loss, Union City, 20-0
Sept. 16, Loss, at Irvington, 22-3
Sept. 23, Won, Columbia, 36-7
Sept. 30, Loss, at Bloomfield, 29-7
Oct. 8, Won, at Morristown, 42-14
Oct. 14, Won, Barringer, 47-14
Oct. 22, Won, at Montclair, 29-26
Oct. 29, Won, at Livingston, 35-12
Nov. 5, Won, East Orange Campus, 33-14
Nov. 11, Loss, at Ridgewood, 57-14*
*North Jersey Section 1, Group 5 playoffs
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